Condolences are continuing to come in for Vancouver restaurateur Joe Antunes, founder of the long-running Joe’s Cafe, who recently passed away at the age of 90.
The announcement was made on the cafe’s social media channels by his nephew, Eddie Fernandes.
“Hi guys, I have some extremely sad news today,” Eddie said in a video. “Uncle Joe passed away last night. He was declining very sharply in the last month or two. And he made it to 90, which he was so proud of.”
Joe’s Cafe
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Joe opened his eponymous cafe in 1976 in Commercial Drive’s Italian neighbourhood and had a loyal roster of diners and visitors for nearly 50 years.
Joe’s Cafe officially closed last October due to “sudden retirement forced by nature,” Fernandes previously told Daily Hive.
“In the last few years, he expressed that he wanted to be buried in Portugal. This spring, just before a planned vacation to Portugal with family, he suddenly expressed his desire to retire there. Eventually, he decided to stay there,” Fernandes said of his uncle.
“In the past, we pushed him to expand and renovate the business, but he always declined. He loved doing things his way and keeping it the same as it’s always been. The family no longer has a desire to continue Joe’s Cafe Bar or upgrade to something better; it has declined over the years and is now worthless. So we decided to shut it down.”
Joe’s Cafe
Many took to social media to share their memories of Joe and well wishes to the Joe’s Cafe family.
“Our condolences to the family and friends,” said one person. “Joe was a huge part of our lives, and he will sadly be missed, but the memories and the building on the Drive will keep his memory alive.
“I am ever grateful for the care that Joe took,” added another. “He always gave me an extra scoop of ice cream or a quarter to play pinball. Joe was quite the character and always so kind to me as a child. Some years ago, when I had my own child, I brought her in as a baby to show Joe.”
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
“RIP Joe. You will always be remembered. Thank you for the many decades of serving the East Vancouver community. You will remain the heart of Commercial Drive.”
A wake event for Joe Antunes will be held at Grandview Park across from the now-shuttered Vancouver cafe on Sunday, Aug. 24. Fernandes shared in a follow-up video that there will be a moment of silence and some pins and postcards to give away.
“Let’s gather as the Joe’s Cafe family, pay respect, and talk about the great memories,” reads the event description.